The playoffs are finally here, and there have been quite a few surprises. The Bruins disappointed many with such a poor finish, with a top three draft pick as consolation. The Sabres scored 100 points to win the division, though they do have Ryan Miller, and the Senators did do a great job too. The Phoenix Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings, and Nashville Predators (which I believe are the red properties in NHL Monopoly) all outdid expectations, as did the Avalanche, but they started out so well. So did the Rangers, who are going home.

There were certainly plenty of monkey wrenches throwing us off, but through it all, a winner emerged, and that winner is…Erikk. Erikk was helped out immensely by the Capitals and Sharks, as he was the only one to correctly guess both #1 seeds, and even had the Penguins helping out. On the other end of the spectrum, I was the only one not to guess a single seed correctly. If only the Penguins didn’t stink so badly against the Devils, and if only the Blackhawks and Sabres had taken care of business on the final day, I would’ve been in business. Oh well.

But seriously, it’s okay. At least Matt Cooke got his comeuppance in the process. To see the final standings and how everyone’s picks turned out, check below.

Final Standings

Rank

Name

Points

#1

Erikk

32

#2

Chris

28

#3

Mike

27

#4

Brian

23

#5

KC

22

#6

Ty

20 (more point-garnering picks)

#7

Teddy

20 (less point-garnering picks)

#8

Pete

16

#9

John

11

Picks: Results

EAST

Brian

Chris

Erikk

John

KC

Mike

Pete

Teddy

Ty

#1*

Penguins

Penguins

Capitals (8)

Bruins

Penguins

Capitals (8)

Bruins

Bruins

Penguins

#2*

Capitals

Capitals

Bruins

Capitals

Bruins

Penguins

Penguins

Lightning

Bruins

#3*

Bruins

Bruins

Flyers

Penguins

Capitals

Bruins

Capitals

Devils

Hurricanes

#4

Flyers

Devils

Penguins (5)

Hurricanes

Hurricanes

Devils

Devils

Capitals

Devils

#5

Hurricanes

Flyers

Sabres

Flyers

Devils

Maple Leafs

Hurricanes

Sabres

Capitals

#6

Devils

Hurricanes

Hurricanes

Devils

Flyers

Hurricanes

Sabres

Penguins

Canadiens

#7

Sabres

Canadiens

Thrashers

Maple Leafs

Sabres

Senators

Flyers (2)

Panthers

Senators

#8

Canadiens (1)

Sabres

Maple Leafs

Rangers

Canadiens (1)

Flyers

Canadiens (1)

Rangers

Flyers

WEST

Brian

Chris

Erikk

John

KC

Mike

Pete

Teddy

Ty

#1*

Sharks (8)

Sharks (8)

Sharks (8)

Red Wings

Sharks (8)

Red Wings

Red Wings

Blues

Sharks (8)

#2*

Flames

Red Wings

Flames

Sharks

Red Wings

Sharks

Sharks

Sharks

Flames

#3*

Blackhawks

Canucks (6)

Red Wings

Flames

Flames

Canucks (6)

Flames

Canucks (6)

Red Wings

#4

Red Wings

Blackhawks

Blackhawks

Blackhawks

Blackhawks

Blackhawks

Canucks

Ducks

Blackhawks

#5

Canucks

Ducks

Canucks

Canucks

Ducks

Ducks

Blackhawks

Blue Jackets

Canucks

#6

Ducks

Flames

Ducks

Wild

Canucks

Flames

Ducks

Oilers

Ducks

#7

Blues

Blues

Oilers

Stars

Blue Jackets

Wild

Blue Jackets

Predators (2)

Blues

#8

Wild

Blue Jackets

Blues

Blue Jackets

Blues

Blue Jackets

Wild

Coyotes

Wild

Points

23

28

32

11

22

27

16

20

20

Table Legend

Two point picks are bolded.

One point picks are italicized.

Zero point picks are crossed out.

A number in parentheses after a team name indicates bonus points received by that pick.